The Committee on Infractions Sets the Standard of Care for College Athletics Administrators Regarding Potential NCAA Rules Violations

Abstract

The NCAA Committee on Infractions (“COI”) recently released its decision regarding NCAA violations that occurred at Creighton University. A now-former men’s basketball assistant coach’s violations as part of a larger scheme involving men’s college basketball garnered national headlines. The COI also concluded that Creighton’s athletics director committed an NCAA violation. When he learned of the assistant coach’s involvement with a third-party, the athletics director unilaterally conducted an investigation and determined that no violation occurred without notifying the NCAA or other university officials.

Prior to the Creighton case, the COI had not cited an athletics director for unilaterally investigating and determining whether an NCAA violation occurred. Thus, this case of first impression and its ramifications merit further analysis. Athletics and university administrators with athletics responsibilities should familiarize with it in the event they face a situation like Creighton’s athletics director. Further, the Creighton case could loom large in other upcoming high-profile infractions cases if evidence shows that administrators knew of coaches’ illicit activities.

Keywords: Sports Law, Administrative Law, Standard of Care, NCAA, Committee on Infractions